After a concert at the Holt Performing Arts Center lastyear as part of Smooth Jazz and Blues Night, Euge Groove decided tomake the venue his only Michigan date this year.

Groove, a renowned smooth-jazz saxophonist, will performat Holt High School Saturday, which is his last U.S. date beforeheading to the United Kingdom on his world tour.

While he has five solo albums, the Maryland-born musicianhas also backed up the likes of Joe Cocker, Richard Marx, Elton Johnand Paula Abdul.

Holt High School’s Theater and Events manager, JeffMiller, said when Groove performed at the school last summer Groove wasso impressed with the venue he asked to return.

“(Groove) was talking with our school board and asked todo a concert and workshop with our students,” Miller said, adding thedistrict is preparing itself for the budget deficit. “We want to use our facilities and present events that our community will like and will be able to enjoy.”

Miller said the district is trying to “keep what we haveand improve what we have without cutting into the general fund.” Hesaid offering events like Groove’s performance is a way of providinglocals a return on their support of the school’s facilities.

“Groove is awell known recording artist and a well-regarded musician who wants tospend time with our community and our students — he’s a good match forthe performing arts in our community,” Miller said.

Groove, who leaves at the end of the month for a 10-show run in the UK, said he was impressed with Holt and its appreciation of the arts.

“It’s great to see a community put some emphasis on thearts for a change,” Groove explained. “Most school systems have all butexcluded any kind of music programs in the school, while academics havefallen compared to other countries.

“It’s not about nurturing a buddingmusician along,” Groove added. “It’s about nurturing a creative mind.Any chance I have to get in front of students, I jump at it.”

Groove will not only perform, he’ll also offer students some of his time in workshop sessions.

“I’ll do a bit of playing, a career talk, using music togive you an edge at getting into college, and a fun little presentationon composition,” Groove said.